Saddletree and tree-pad plate.



No. 846,731. PATENTED MAR. 12., 1907.

J. L. CRAWFORD. SADDLETRBE'AND TREE PAD PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED NGV. 8, 1906.

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No.'8 16,731. PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

J. B. L. CRAWFORD. SADDLETREB ANDYTREB PAD PLATE.

APPLIOATTQQ'YILBD NOV. 8, 1906.

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JOHN E. L. CRAWFORD, OF LISBON, OHIO.

SADDLETREE AN D TREE-PAD PLATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 12, 1907.

Application filed November 8, 1906. Serial No. 342,544.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN E. L. CRA FORD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lisbon, in the county of Oolumbiana and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inSaddletree and Tree- 7Pad Plates; and I do declare the following to 7 1 represents a be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to a flexible saddletree or plate which is soconstructed at the center as to form a rigid structure which will beupheld by the springs to prevent the center or yoke from coming downonto a horses back and yet will conform to the shape of the back of ahorse.

The object of the invention is to produce a flexible saddletreeor-tree-pad plate which is adapted for use with any kind of a pad on anyharness.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a tree-plate on which aseat or hook, or both, may be used at different locations thereon.

Another object is to so construct a treeplate and springs that the bursused there with cannot turn or become loose and yet do not interferewith the flexibility of the saddle.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectionof a saddletree, showing one embodiment of this invention. Fig. 2represents a bottom plan view thereof. Fig. 3 represents a perspectivedetail view of the yoke, with the springs attached. Fig. 4 represents abottom plan view of another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5represents a perspective view of one of the nuts or burs detached, andFig. 6 represents a perspective view of one of the springs shown in Fig.4 detached. Fig. 7 represents a front elevation of the yoke detached,with the clenchers shown in open position.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, harness-saddle which is made ofthick leather in the ordinary form. A jockey 2 is secured upon themiddle part of the saddle-skirt 1, and a back-strap 3 lies between thejockey 2 and the skirt 1, all of which parts are old and of the usualconstruction.

A yoke 10 is secured to the under side of the saddle 1 at the centerthereof and is preferably provided with a crupper-loop 11.

This yoke 10 is formed to fit the horses back and has a slot 12extending transversely across the center, through which the shank of thecheck-hook and seat-screw projects and is adjustable therein. This yokeor center 10 has tongues or clenchers 15 with slits or openings 16arranged below said tongues to permit the tongues to be pressedthereinto either above or below the yoke or center.

Hair-pin-shaped springs 20 extend from opposite sides of the slot 12 inthe yoke 10 downward past the terret as far as may be desired. The innerends of these springs overlap and lie over the slot 12 in the yoke.Bolts, as 25, extend through the jockey, the back-strap, and the skirt,between the legs of the springs 20, and are provided with winged burs26. These burs have central lugs which project between the legs of thesprings and prevent the turning of the burs after they are adjusted. Thewings 27 of these burs extend over the wire legs of the springs and areprovided with apertures 28, through which tacks are adapted to pass tosecure the parts together.

In the form shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 flat metal springs 30 are shownhaving openings 31 1n their upper ends, which overlap each other, saidapertures 31 registering with the slot 12 in the yoke 10. These flatsprings are bifurcated at their lower ends for the reception of the burs26 hereinbefore described. The wings of these burs 26 extend over thesides of the springs and hold said bifurcated ends from spreading, whilepermitting said ends to slide longitudinally. A check-hook shank 36projects through the slot 12 on the yoke 10 and through the apertures inthe inner ends of the springs, and a washer 37 is disposed thereover,and a nut 38 is secured on said check-hook shank for holding the partsrigidly together. The springs 30, having elongated slots 31, with thedivided ends or prongs thereof embraced by the winged nuts 26, are heldagainst lateral movement or spreading, while being permitted to movelongitudinally.

I claim as my invention 1. A saddletree-plate comprising a yoke having acentral opening, oppositely-disposed springs arranged on said yoke withtheir inner ends overlapping and having openings therein, a boltextending through said yoke and spring-openings, and a nut on said boltfor clamping said parts rigidly together.

2. A saddletree-plate comprising a yoke rro having a slot extendingtransversely thereof, oppositely-disposed springs With their inner endsoverlapping over said slot and having apertures registering vwith eachother and With the slot, a bolt extending through said yoke and spring-aertures, and a nut on said bolt, said springs eing bifurcated throughoutthe greater portion of their length.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set JOHN E. L. CRAWFORD.

Witnesses:

J. F. SPENCER, JOHN MoVIoKER.

